Today's Opinions

A few years ago we “adopted” our road, committing to maintain at a neat and clean standard. The initial clean-up was a major undertaking, but we accomplished it and took pride in the results.
But every year at this time we are confronted with a very unpleasant task: removal of deer remains. This time is the worst ever.
Recently, while out on our daily walk, we happened on the carcass of a doe. She was apparently killed here, a few choice pieces were harvested, and the remainder left to decompose in our neighborhood.

I’m a former player of Grayson County girls basketball, responding to the parent who said they’d be ashamed.
Personally, I think you said it perfectly and that’s why you aren’t coaching.
Our coach isn’t a prideful man that’s ashamed of any of his players, but one of character and integrity.
While playing on the team, I not only gained knowledge of the game of basketball and was equipped with the proper tools to play the game, but also how to be better prepared for life and for my future.

Recently, I was a resident in the facility of Grayson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Independence.
I had a terrible home accident that resulted in a broken knee and crushed ankle.
We chose the Grayson facility because it was close to my son’s job and he could visit after work. I was so happy my family and I chose Grayson. You always have a certain mindset when it comes to any nursing home.

A few years ago I spent four years and several thousand dollars to kill a bull elk in Montana with a bow and arrow.
Stupid me.
In Virginia, deer hunters can do it for nothing. Not one, but four.
We have four different deer seasons, with four deer tags on the table and you can buy extra tags. No other place on the planet can you take an elk for free.
Now, if you think this is a good thing, you should know that Virginia has in place an Elk restoration program.
I am reasonably sure a dead elk cannot reproduce. This is pure stupidity.

After the recent football state championship game I found myself strongly compelled to write my first ever letter to the editor.
Putting my thoughts to pen is a struggle for me. However, I must express my deep and sincere appreciation to the coaching staff and the team of Galax football.
As a proud parent of two sons on the team, Woody and Joseph, I greatly appreciate the attitude of Coach Dixon and his staff to approach the game of football as a means to an end and not an end in itself.

Betty Perkins of Fries wrote this poem several years ago, when both her sons and her son-in-law were law enforcement officers. She says she has "spent many Christmas Eves wondering if they were alright."
When Perkins lived in North Carolina, The Wilmington (N.C.) Star News published this poem on Christmas Eve for several years. This year, she is sharing it with The Gazette.